Max Kellerman is again in the spotlight after slamming Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for flopping in the playoffs. Kellerman was earlier in the limelight after he compared James Harden to President Donald Trump for his performance in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. Now, he has given his thoughts on the Western Conference matchup.
Pushing the narrative of foul-baiting that already caught fire in the regular season, the American TV personality, who featured on Rich Paul’s Game Over, called out SGA for flopping. Several international guards in the NBA have been under scrutiny for getting too many foul calls, but the Thunder has been especially criticized.
Several incidents on social media have gone viral, showing Thunder players faking fouls in front of officials. That led Kellerman to call out the Canadian superstar for his acts. He said:
“Shai is flopping on every possession, it’s ridiculous. Hartenstein and Chet are fouling Wemby all the time. Either the refs are very bad at their jobs, and they keep missing everything, I find that hard to believe cause the refs are good at their jobs, that’s why they get to be refs in the NBA, and it’s happening in front of everybody. Everyone can see the flopping, and everyone can see Shai trying to sell the calls.
“Anyway you slice it, the preferred situation in these playoffs for these refs would be to call the game properly… The real problem is that Hartenstein has gotten away with vet moves on Wemby… I am not mad at Hartenstein… Physicality is one thing, that’s fine but if you hold dude so he can’t move in plain view of the ref, call it. “
The Thunder have taken a 2-1 lead in the series against the San Antonio Spurs after they lost Game 1 in double overtime. In Round 1, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged an unprecedented 19.5 free-throw attempts every game. That number has surely come down in the next two rounds, due to criticism from fans and several analysts.
Max Kellerman criticizes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s teammate Chet Holmgren, “That’s dangerous”
Max Kellerman, further in the above-mentioned statement, criticized Chet Holmgren for “intentionally” stepping on Victor Wembanyama’s leg during a free-throw attempt. The incident quickly went viral and raised several questions.
The podcaster said:
“Chet is doing something else. Chet steps on Wemby’s foot, obviously intentionally; it’s dangerous.”
Even though basketball is a physical game, such actions can seriously harm a player and his trajectory in the league. A game can not be bigger than a player’s career. However, such actions are not new in the NBA, and the league has often launched investigations into such incidents.
The Spurs will now look to tie the series in Game 4 at home. The Thunder limited Wemby to just four rebounds in the last game, showcasing their stellar work on the board. They were also better defensively, forcing 15 turnovers as compared to the Spurs’ 10.
But the type of talent the team has, nobody knows what type of challenge the Spurs will present in the next game. This series will only turn more interesting from here.
READ MORE: 3 Warriors Who Likely Won’t Be Back Next Season
“Now We Got Cuatro Leches”: Indiana Fever Fans Turn Up the Hype After Grace VanSlooten Signing
Fever Insider Exposes Glaring Stephanie White Problem and Raises Even Bigger Caitlin Clark Question
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in the NBA, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
